It was their first festive victory over their cross-city rivals in 18 years and lifts them back into contention in the title race after their heavy defeat to leaders Cliftonville at the weekend.

Glenn Ferguson, tantalising close to his 500th career goal, almost got the ball rolling after three minutes with a 25-yard free-kick which 'keeper Elliott Morris did well to push away while at the other end Daryl Fordyce missed the follow up from a David Scullion effort.

Then, on ten minutes, Sean Ward produced two goalline clearances to deny Ferguson and Jamie Mulgrew.

For Glentoran Kyle Neill fired wide after 20 minutes while Gary Hamilton forced a decent save out of Alan Mannus.

Neill threatened again six minutes into the second half but again couldn't keep his effort on target.

It was Linfield's turn to go close on the hour when Peter Thompson glanced a Pat McShane free-kick goalward but at the other end just a couple of minutes later Colin Nixon fired a Neill set piece onto the base of an upright.

The winner arrived barely four minutes later, though, when another Neill ball was powerfully headed past Mannus into the top corner.

And Halliday might have doubled his tally not long after when he dispossessed Stephen Douglas to roll the ball past Mannus only for the defender to recover to clear the danger off the line.